Effects of radiation and radiological contamination at multiple levels: from molecules to ecosystems 

Working Group Lead: Prof. Nele Horemans (SCK CEN) & Dr. Joana Lourenco (University of Aveiro)
Contact: nele.horemans@sckcen.be or joanalourenco@ua.pt

Working Group Overview

Despite years of research there are still data gaps in our understanding of how different organisms are affected by and respond to exposure to enhanced levels of ionizing radiation originating from natural or anthropogenic sources. As such, data are still insufficient to take into account for example different exposure scenarios (chronic versus acute, variable dose rate regime, dose deposit heterogeneity), as well as how molecular targets link up to changes at individual and ecosystem level. Within risk assessment these knowledge gaps are currently accounted for via extrapolation and the use of assessment factors (or safety factors) that add conservatism and increase uncertainties of the assessment. Additionally, discrepancies exist between the impact of radiation in lab versus more environmental relevant exposures such as field conditions, including complex sites where multiple stressors are often playing a role. To be able to tackle these complex questions a multidisciplinary approach is needed. 

Primarily, addressing Challenge 2 of the Radioecology Strategic Research Agenda, the overall aim of the EFFECTS WG is to unite scientists working on the mechanistic understanding of effects of radiation on non-human biota including. The challenges described in the SRA include (i) mechanistically linking different levels of biological complexity: molecular to population/ecosystem level (ii) understanding the time dependence of response to radiation e.g. trans/multigenerational responses (iii) the sensitivities of life stages and species e.g. effect of radiological contamination on biodiversity (iv) application of different OMIC techniques to understand effects of radiation/radionuclides and (v) the interaction between radionuclides and other stressors. Within these themes, the WG wishes to bring together groups that will perform specific experiments or field work, as well as to apply ecological or population modelling approaches. The WG wishes to bring together groups to facilitate research that will develop and perform specific experiments or complex field work or apply modelling approaches that can provide answers to the above mentioned challenges. Expected outcomes such as (quantitative) Adverse Outcome Pathways, multiple stressor or ecological models or the identification of (combined) exposure biomarkers or biosensors can be used as tools for environmental relevant radiological risk assessment. 

Working Group Activities

The activities of the Working Group were initiated during the COMET project and some initial activities were conducted within the framework of the project. Considerable progress was made within COMET WP4 by the involved partners on the possible contribution of epigenetic mechanisms to transgenerational effects. In April 2019 a workshop was held in Paris inviting WG members and experts in the field of epigenetics. Together with the COMET project this resulted in the position paper (Horemans et al., 2019). In the period between 2019 and 2023 WG members contributed to the writing of several Euratom proposals that were unfortunately not successful. In the second half of 2023 it was decided to broaden the WG’s field of interest to enable to address current knowledge gaps on radiological effects on population and ecosystem level, as well as the impact of multiple stressors and attract new members.

Working Group Members

In construction 

Any member of the ALLIANCE can become a member of this Working Group (email the Working Group Leaders).